Glasses

[Usernameless101]

Hi does anyone know what the minimum requirement for varifocals is? I got some yesterday but the optician didn’t give me the prescription and I can’t read a screen with these or drive with them because there’s no peripheral vision. I have my old glasses for driving but I desperately need some for reading ASAP as the headaches are ridiculous.

The only thing know is I just reached the benchmark for varifocals on the reading side so if I can buy some cheap glasses for working on the screen ASAP that should solve my immediate problem.

I asked for the prescription but was told I’d have to wait because an optician needs to sign it so would take ages. I’ve since called and asked for it to be emailed and this will take 3 days.

I definitely didn’t understand varifocals properly. I need glasses for driving and reading a computer screen, and both of these are restricted with varifocals.

I’ll see if they can change them for two separate pairs. Thanks

It’s because I got the cheapest ones, just can’t afford the others. I didn’t realise I’d be sacrificing peripheral vision for them though, I never would have got them if I’d known because of the driving. I’ll just hope they’ll swap at least one pair for reading lenses.

@Elodie9 I changed opticians recently (from Vision Express to Specsavers) as the previous optician kept banging on about varifocals despite me getting massive headaches and double vision when I tried them. The guy at Specsavers was amazing! He explained that the reason I don't get on with them is because of the way I move my head, rather than my eyes, to read. I'm short sighted (one eye a lot worse than the other as I've had cataract surgery on one eye) so really need my glasses for distance but can take them off (or push them up onto my head) for close work. If you only move your eyes when looking down to read then varifocals will likely work for you.

@Usernameless101 I've always been given a copy of my prescription when I've been to collect my new frames (both in chain opticians and also small independents). In this time of electronic signatures I'm not sure what your opticians are playing at!

@SleepingisanArt Thanks so much for the info. I have always had headaches , pretty sure it is due to my poor eyesight hence my reluctance to go to varifocals.
I honestly think I could manage just fine with separate distance and reading ones at home.
I won't ask your details, but both my eyes are -14 so you can imagine how thick my specs are , even paying for the thinnest lens they can offer.
Will have a think, thank you.

First of all the optician should send you away from your test with your prescription in your pocket and available to you. Mine always have. Also ask them to put your Pupillary Distance (PD) on there as well so you have it to hand if you decide to buy from somewhere else or online.

The quality of a varifocal depends on the quality of the lens - I have always gone for the highest quality, as they are an investment that it is unwise to penny pinch on if you are able financially.

When you say the "minimum requirement" for varifocals, are you talking about your eye prescription or the depth of the frame you have chosen?

There is always a very small amount of side distortion on varifocals, but I have worn them for over 40 years with no problems. Where things were not perfect (e.g. insufficient middle range for reading music) I just went back and they were adjusted. Sometimes it is not the lens, but the frame sitting too high or too low on your nose and a simple adjustment can sort that.

As with most things you need time to get used to them; but I would go straight back to the optician and explain the problems you are having. They are obliged to sort them out, if it is possible, or to substitute with something that works for you. Did you go to a big chain, or a small outlet? The big chains do not quibble over anything in my experience; the smaller one-man outlets are less helpful.

😕 they might be cheap on the scale of bifocals but it’s still more than I can afford.

It was Boots, I’m going to ask if I can change them for separate distance and reading glasses. I can’t afford the good ones and think I’m much more suited to separates anyway because I’ve realised I move my eyes, not my head. I’m staring at two computer screens all day, I need to be able to move my eyes. Also not comfortable with turning my head and blocking out complete vision on one side to look in a wing mirror when I’m used to having that spatial awareness.

😕 they might be cheap on the scale of bifocals but it’s still more than I can afford.

@Usernameless101, look on the bright side, op. If you go with separate readers and distance glasses then you can pick those up relatively inexpensively 🙂. And your reading prescription is not that strong, neither is your distance prescription so it is not like you would need varifocals for reading the instruments on your car or anything. You can get really slim pair of reading glasses and even folding ones that fit in a pocket.

I know :( I didnt mean that comment to be bitchy or make me sound superior, in anyway.

Opticians or even the fitters should sit you down and explain Varifocals to new customers, how they work and what you might have to sacrifice at different price points

Im getting luckier, lenses are changing and with the wider frames I can at least go down a grade and still get good vision. I only go for the one pair and they discount them for the equivalent of the 2 for 1 offer . Unfortunately the time between new prescriptions is getting shorter

It is a huge expense for me, between eyes and teeth I feel Ive paid enough to fund Gp for a year :) Still my new glasses have to wait a while longer, dog needed the Vet tonight - OUCH

This will sound utterly bonkers, and probably one just for home, but as an emergency measure you can wear off the shelf readers over your distance lenses for reading close up.

@TiredArse erm...you shouldn't have to with the correct strength readers (even if bought off the shelf).

@TiredArse unless you are talking about the ones which were too strong that op already purchased?

You do if you already have a distance prescription and need readers.

You do if you already have a distance prescription and need readers

@TiredArse, I don't get you. Surely you just reduce the minus strength from the distance prescription by whatever ADD is prescribed? As long as that is +1.00 or above it should be quite easy to buy readers (unless really strong ones are needed).

So if your distance prescription was -1.00 and your ADD was +2.00 your separate reading glasses would be +1.00.

I meant you literally wear two pairs at once. The distance prescription and another pair with a reader prescription. The add of the readers reduces the distance prescription so you can read. Looks ridiculous but works in an emergency.

if you have a distance prescription you can’t usually wear off the shelf readers. Possibly could with a small prescription.

if you have a distance prescription you can’t usually wear off the shelf readers. Possibly could with a small prescription.

@TiredArse, you can if the right prescription is available off the shelf. Loads of people do. My last post illustrates the maths. I don't understand where you are coming from here...do you understand how the prescriptions work? Or is this just something you were told without any explanation?

@TiredArse and what I do, with a -5.00 prescription and with an ADD of +0.75 is simply wear older, weaker (minus lens) glasses to read in. 😉 Works a treat.

So I can wear my -4.25 s (or thereabouts) @TiredArse

I understand how it works but you can’t if you have anything more than a small minus. If say your distance prescription is -4 and your reading add is +1 you will not be able to read with off the shelf readers. Because you’d need -3 which you cannot buy off the shelf, you can only buy + glasses without a prescription. You cannot buy - glasses off the shelf.

I have a distance prescription. I need reading glasses. I cannot see to read with ready readers.

But yes, using an older, weaker pair can work, if the axis and cyl are the same.

@TiredArse ah I get you now! And yes, that's what I do is use an older weaker pair. The op gave her prescription upthread though (not much of a minus).

Sorry for the confusion.

I didn’t think you were being bitchy or superior at all 🙂 I know you get what you pay for, like me with the cheap version lol, but times are tough, and like you, I have a never ending stream of other things to pay for. Just wish I’d popped to a local shop for some cheap readers and not spent the money on these two. Hopefully I’ll get some help from the shop.

I hope your dog is okay

I honestly thought I’d lost the plot. I even went try OH’s reading glasses in case I was wrong! 😁

OP, if you need cheap prescription reading glasses then Asda are pretty good.

@TiredArse🤦‍♀️

I bought some from Amazon… and they haven’t worked 😂 some off the shelf’s I can try before I buy might be better lol

I spoke to Boots this morning and they told me to take them in and they will exchange them for two separate pairs for me 🙂